Newly elected bishops urged to be courageous and steadfast

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, last Wednesday, at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church, Ikeja, Lagos, consecrated four new Suffragan Bishops and presented two Archbishops.

The four new Bishops were Ven. Olukayode Adenola Adegbogun; Ven. Adedokun Adesoji Adewunmi; Ven. Martyn Chukwuma Anagbogu and Revd. Canon Augustine Aigbovbiose Unuigbe. They are to serve in the Anglican Diocese of the Trinity (ADOTT) in the U.S. The two Archbishops are Most Revd. Emmanuel Chukwuma, Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Enugu and Most Revd. Daniel Abu Yisa, Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lokoja.

At the Consecration service, the Guest Preacher and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Trinity, USA, Rt. Revd. Amos Fagbamiye, said there was only one gospel for all times and generations and for all cultures and races. He said the Lord Jesus Christ’s gospel is for everyone and Christians should, therefore, spread it to all.

Speaking on the topic: “Move forward with the gospel,” Revd. Fagbamiye told the Bishops-elect that they were just like Jesus Christ’s disciples, whom He sent out to be the gospel’s missionaries.

He encouraged them to read the history of the early missionaries and what they went through while preaching the gospel.

While admonishing them to be courageous, fearless, holy and righteous, Bishop Fagbamiye said: “We are missionaries of the Church of Nigeria, and except the Lord calls you, nobody can kill you. These days, some people are not called. The seed God plants cannot be uprooted by anybody. As missionaries, you must not disconnect from the source of power. And don’t be Facebook Bishops, but Face God Bishops and Face Scripture Bishops, who seek to know God daily.”

The Bishop of ADOTT said in spite of civilisation, America and Canada still need God and genuine preachers of His word. He urged them not to betray the Christian faith or the faith of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.